Musicians will compete in the Battle of the Bands event Saturday at Edgewater Park’s bandshell.

The United Way of Freeborn County is hosting the event, and the cost is $5 or free for children age 12 and younger. Bands competing include Sun Dead, Deadnote, Project Reject, Indiscrepancy, Professor Noisemaker and Nothing More Than a Ghost. Guest performances will be by Rocket Dawgs, Nicole Racciatti and Simon “Top Billion” Hill.

The first 100 people attending will get a free T-shirt, and there will be games, food and prizes. The event will be postponed to Sunday if there’s rain Saturday.

An event unique to the Albert Lea area will take over the Freeborn County Fairgrounds on Saturday. Expect loud noise and exhaust fumes as monster trucks and four-wheelers are showcased.

A pit party starts at 6 p.m., with a showtime of 7:30 p.m. The show is expected to last at least two hours. Advance tickets are available at Napa Auto Parts and at www.outlawmonstertrucks.com for $17 for adults or $10 for children. Tickets at the door on Saturday are $20 for adults and $15 for children.

Two area towns will hold festival this weekend, too. See Page 8 for information about Ellendale Days and Page 2 for information about Freeborn Days.

 

Friday

• The Albert Lea Art Center hosts its Art & Garden Tour from 4 to 7 p.m. The tour continues Saturday and features six gardens around Albert Lea. Artists will also be at each home displaying their work. Tickets are $10 and are available at the art center, Addie’s Floral & Gifts, Ben’s Floral & Frame and the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce.

• Albert Lea Community Theater presents “Oliver!” at 7:30 p.m. at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $18 for adults and $10 for students.

• “Gnomeo and Juliet” will be the featured show for the Movie in the Park event at 8:30 p.m. at the bandshell at Edgewater Park.

 

Saturday

• The Shinefest Tractor Ride starts at 8:30 a.m. from the Freeborn County Fairgrounds following a 7:30 a.m. breakfast. The 67-mile ride continues through Emmons and Mansfield before returning to the fairgrounds for a 5 p.m. dinner. Funds raised go to support the Shinefest ecumenical organization.

• The Albert Lea Art Center hosts its Art & Garden Tour from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The tour features six gardens around Albert Lea. Artists will also be at each home displaying their work. Tickets are $10 and are available at the art center, Addie’s Floral & Gifts, Ben’s Floral & Frame and the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce.

• The Battle of the Bands event is from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the bandshell at Edgewater Park. Cost is $5 and free for children age 12 and younger.

• The Sample Saturday Series features free swimming from 1 to 7 p.m. at the Albert Lea Aquatic Center.

• The Freeborn County Fairgrounds hosts the Monster Truck Night of Fire and Thrills at 7:30 p.m. Cost is $20 for adults and $15 for children.

• Albert Lea Community Theater presents “Oliver!” at 7:30 p.m. at the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $18 for adults and $10 for students.

• Geneva Bar & Grill hosts the Johnny Holm Band from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Cost is $10.

 

Sunday

• The Albert Lea American Legion will host an exhibit and pancake breakfast at the Albert Lea American Legion from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The exhibit will honor veterans from the Korean War era, years 1950 through 1960. The breakfast, which is open to the public, includes pancakes, sausage, eggs, potatoes, fruit, juice and coffee. Cost is $7, and children under age 6 eat free. A dollar from each entry goes to a church youth activity group of your choice. The display continues from last week, when it was hosted by the local VFW.

• Indiscrepancy performs from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Northbridge Mall. The concert is free and open to the public.